Overview
The authors asked whether AI age estimation can measure facelift results from frontal and profile photos, and whether the result differs between deep plane and SMAS facelifts or with added procedures. In this retrospective study, Face++ software rated pre- and postoperative photos of 100 women per technique, found on plastic surgery websites. Patients were grouped by technique and adjunct procedures.
Findings
- 200 female patients: 100 deep plane, 100 SMAS; mean age 59.97 years.
- Frontal images: modest apparent age reduction of about 2.5-2.8 years, with moderate accuracy.
- Profile images: large underestimation of age and high variability, with a mean absolute error of 16-23 years.
- No significant difference in AI-estimated age reduction between deep plane and SMAS facelifts.
- Adjunct procedures did not significantly affect age estimates.
- The authors conclude the results show current AI limits.
What it means for a patient
- By this AI measure, a facelift made women look about 2.5-2.8 years younger in frontal photos.
- The AI tool did not separate deep plane from SMAS facelift results.
- Profile photos gave age estimates off by 16-23 years on average, so this tool is not reliable for side views.
- Limits: photos were taken from surgeon websites, not a consecutive series; one AI program; no patient or surgeon ratings; women only.
Why this paper matters
It tests an AI age estimator on both facelift techniques using frontal and profile views in one dataset. It found no difference between techniques and showed the tool fails on profiles.
Terms
- Deep plane facelift: a facelift that lifts the skin and the deeper SMAS layer together as one flap.
- SMAS facelift: a facelift that lifts or tightens the SMAS layer separately from the skin.
- SMAS: the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a fibrous and muscle layer under the facial fat.
- Face++: a commercial AI program that estimates age from a face photo.
- Mean absolute error: the average size of the gap between estimated and true values, ignoring direction.
- Adjunct procedure: an extra procedure done with the facelift.
- Retrospective study: a study that looks back at existing records or images.